Distribution of IgG4- and/or IgG-positive plasma cells in Hashimoto's thyroiditis: an immunohistochemical study.

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIM:

Recently, immunohistochemistry has shown numerous IgG4-positive plasma cells in a subset of Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT), and this type of HT (IgG4 HT) appears to be a subtype of IgG4-related sclerosing disease. However, little is known about the distribution pattern of plasma cells in IgG4 thyroiditis. To clarify the distribution pattern of IgG4-positive plasma cells, 33 cases of HT demonstrating abundant lymphoplasmacytic infiltrate were studied.

METHODS:

Using formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded sections, histological, immunohistochemistry and polymerase chain reaction were performed.

RESULTS:

Fourteen cases were classified as IgG4 HT and 19 cases were non-IgG4 HT. Histologically, there was no significant difference between the 2 groups with regard to the degree of stromal fibrosis, lymphoid follicle formation, or the presence of phlebitis or fibrous thyroiditis. The present study demonstrated 2 distribution patterns of IgG4- and/or IgG-positive plasma cells, namely the interfollicular (n = 31) and intrafollicular + interfollicular patterns (n = 2). Interfollicular plasma cells were always polytypic intracytoplasmic immunoglobulin in all 33 cases. However, intrafollicular plasma cells in 2 lesions had monotypic kappa light chain by immunohistochemistry.

CONCLUSION:

The present study demonstrated that the majority of IgG4 HT and non-IgG HT cases showed an interfollicular distribution pattern of IgG4- and/or IgG-positive plasma cells.

• Authors: Masaru Kojima, Mitsuyoshi Hirokawa, Haruji Kuma, Eijun Nishihara, Nobuhide Masawa, Naoya Nakamura, Akira Miyauchi
• Journal: Pathobiology : journal of immunopathology, molecular and cellular biology (Pathobiology) Vol. 77 Issue 5 Pg. 267-72 ( 2010) ISSN: 1423-0291 [Electronic] Switzerland
• PMID: 21116118 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2010 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Chemical References

• Immunoglobulin G
• Immunoglobulin kappa-Chains

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Female
• Hashimoto Disease (immunology, pathology)
• Humans
• Immunoglobulin G (analysis)
• Immunoglobulin kappa-Chains (analysis)
• Immunohistochemistry
• Lymphocyte Count
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Plasma Cells (immunology)
• Thyroid Gland (immunology, pathology)